San Pasqual Valley (SD County) Bald Eagle

While out scouting our Escondido CBC area on Sunday, December 16 2012, we came across what is probably a fully mature adult Bald Eagle just off Bandy Canyon Road near the Santa Maria Creek bridge.  Approximate map coordinates are [33.074947,-116.97989].

This is the same tree -- probably even on the same limb -- where we had two Bald Eagles in our Escondido CBC area on 31-DEC-11, and also on 01-JAN-12. One of those looked to be a 3d-year bird, and the other appeared to be a mature adult bird. Sadly, however, that data is not available on the eBird range and point maps, presumably due to the chronic petulance and pedantry of the local eBird Gestap ... , er, monitors.

Please note the markedly ragged flight feathers on the left wing. (Unfortunately, the bird had launched and retracted landing gear before we got anywhere close enough to see any leg banding.)  It would be interesting to know if this bird also turns up at the Ramona Grasslands, which is only a few miles away by air. There was some question at least year's CBC if we were in fact counting the same BAEAs seen that day in Ramona.

***

AVISO! Your best viewing bet is to park at the Santa Ysabel Creek/Bandy Canyon Road trailhead and walk down the trail. But this bird is VERY skittish. We stopped a good distance away, hoping to get off a quick photo. However, the bird still bolted. We last saw it high up and headed southeast towards Ramona.